Where to Stay in Cape Town: 40 Great Hotels by Area

Where to stay in Cape Town depends on the kind of trip you’re planning. I’ve lived in several Cape Town neighbourhoods over the years (and sipped and spa’d my way through them), and there is no shortage of luxury hotels, beachy villas and cool, boutique guesthouses.

This guide breaks down each area with honest pros and cons, from tourist hotspots to quieter, wine-soaked escapes. Whether you’re planning a honeymoon, a girls’ getaway, or your first trip to South Africa, here’s how to pick the best place to stay in Cape Town.

Quick Guide: The Best Areas in Cape Town at a Glance

For first-time visitors to Cape Town, I usually recommend staying as close to the city centre as possible – think Sea Point, Green Point, the V&A Waterfront, or the City Bowl. These areas are well located for sightseeing, Ubers are quick and cheap, and you’re near some of the city’s best food.

Camps Bay and Clifton are slightly further away, and the restaurant scene is definitely more touristy, but if you’re travelling with a group or looking to splurge on a beach house with a view, there’s a lot to be said for staying there. It’s where you’ll get the best beach access and the most glam scenery.

If you prefer something slightly quieter, Constantia is a great option, with relaxed winelands hospitality and well-priced houses for larger groups. It’s only about 20 minutes from the city, and the nearby restaurants are great and beloved by locals.

V&A Waterfront – Best for Safety and High-End Comfort

Apart from its central location, the benefit of staying in the Waterfront has always been that you can walk around the precinct safely, including at night, which is not something you can do in the rest of Cape Town.

But even with the safety and convenience factor, until recently, I would have said that the Waterfront was mainly a tourist trap. Well, we stayed at the Waterfront last December, and I am now a convert – lots of my favourite local clothing designers have opened stores in the Waterfront, and there are outposts of some of Cape Town’s best restaurants as well.

Go to Mungo and Jemima, or Hannah Lavery for women’s clothing or to Spirit Jewellery for silver trinkets. Have dinner at Coy, Sevruga or the Waterside, or see my other local favourites and must-eats here.

A lot of the hotels here are quite pricey, but there are some well-priced, excellently located gems as well.

1. Atlantic Marina Apartments – Mid-Range

We couldn’t believe our luck when we stumbled upon the Atlantic Marina Apartments for our trip to Cape Town last December. I remember driving past them when I was a student, and wishing I could live there one day.

Well, I got my wish (if only for a holiday!), and we had a fabulous time. The apartments are set in the canal, very close to the One and Only, and you can actually pop in to the One and Only bar through the canal entrance. There is a gym, as well as several swimming pools set into the canal.

2. The Victoria and Alfred Hotel – Mid-Range

Also right in the centre of the Waterfront, the V&A Hotel is a lot better priced than many of the other Waterfront hotels, but still well located and beautifully appointed. You can’t beat the views of Table Mountain while you have your breakfast.

3. The Cape Grace – High-End

A classic Cape Town icon with a lot of history (my favourite kind of hotel), the Cape Grace has just had a refurbishment, and its spa is absolutely fabulous. There are amazing views of Table Mountain, and a whisky bar, Bascule, which has a very old-money feel.

4. The One & Only Cape Town – High-End

Easily the most luxurious hotel in Cape Town and definitely the best spa in Cape Town, the One & Only is exclusive and very high-end. It also has the only Nobu in Cape Town, as well as stunning views from the bar.

It’s another one of the places I used to drive past as a student, wishing that one day I’d be the kind of woman who hung around there. Fast forward to a moment of serious self-actualisation, because when I moved to London, my friends and I had a spa day there on my farewell weekend!

5. The Silo – High-End

A new hotel, The Silo has been built into one of the old grain silos at the Waterfront, and is absolutely fabulous. As one of the taller buildings in Cape Town, it has ridiculous views of the city (take them in from your bath), beautiful, arty decor, a spa and excellent cocktails.

Sea Point – Local Vibes, Walking and Ocean Views

My favourite Cape Town neighbourhood, Sea Point is bustling and cosmopolitan, with a bit of everything. There is a seaside promenade for walking or jogging, cute cafes, and Cape Town’s best bagel. It’s also well located for easy access to Clifton and Camps Bay beaches, the CBD and the Waterfront. Walking around Sea Point is ok during the day, but take an Uber at night.

6. Pineapple House Boutique Hotel – Great Value

I always stay with friends in Seapoint, but if I couldn’t, Pineapple House would be top of my list, a perfect boutique hotel in the middle of Sea Point. It is centrally located, so you can walk around easily. There is quirky decor, a private pool, and an excellent breakfast.

It is also just up the road from the Mojo Market, my favourite Seapoint spot for a casual lunch or dinner (get a smashburger from Junior or a burrito from Tortilla Modern Mexican).

7. Cape 20 Villa – Great Value

Cape 20 Villa is in the perfect location in an upmarket part of Bantry Bay, with a rooftop pool for sunset views, and within walking distance to everything in Sea Point.

8. Home Suite Hotels Sea Point – Great Value

Home Suite Hotels has slightly 70s decor, but it is in a perfect location, with a rooftop pool, restaurant, and an excellent breakfast included.

9. O on Kloof Boutique Hotel and Spa – Great Value

Another excellent boutique hotel in central Seapoint, O on Kloof has its own on-site spa and pool. It is also very close to a lot of my Seapoint favourites, like Kleinsky’s Deli and Jarryd’s.

10. Sweet Orange Guesthouse – Great Value

Sweet Orange, in a restored Victorian house in Sea Point has a small, shaded pool and beautiful decor. It is centrally located and offers excellent value for money.

11. The Glen Boutique Hotel and Spa – Mid-Range

An absolutely luxurious boutique hotel in Seapoint, the Glen has its own spa and swimming pool, as well as fabulous breakfasts.

12. Latitude ApartHotel by TotalStay – Mid-Range

Latitude Aparthotel offers apartments in a very central area in Seapoint, with lounges, kitchens, and laundry facilities. They also have balconies for perfect ocean and mountain views.

13. The Winchester Hotel by Newmark – Mid-Range

The Winchester is a well-known fixture on the Seapoint promenade (even if you’re not staying, they make excellent scones). It has Cape Dutch architecture and sleek, modern interiors, with a large pool and a highly rated breakfast.

You’re right on the promenade here, which is perfect for sunset walks, morning runs, or coffee strolls. Make sure you get a photo with the giant set of Wayfarers.

14. Ellerman House – High-End

Top-level luxury in Seapoint, definitely not cheap but certainly worth it. Ellerman House is right at the top of Seapoint, with fabulous views from the mountain, luxurious rooms, and a pool. They even make their own wine.

Green Point – Central and Perfect for First-Timers

Green Point is the perfect midway spot between the Waterfront and Seapoint, and it straddles the two in vibe as well. It is slightly quieter than Seapoint or the City Bowl, and it has good value, modern hotels with a bit of a luxe factor, but without the Waterfront price tag, and beautiful views of the stadium out over the ocean.

It also has really well-dressed, beautiful people. When I first moved back to Cape Town after university, I lived just next to Green Point in De Waterkant, which was full of very good-looking men. Although if you’re a straight, single woman, be warned – a lot of the time, their boyfriends are only a few steps behind. My flatmate and I used to laugh at ourselves a lot about this.

15. Cape Royale – Great Value

The Cape Royale is honestly excellent value, because the hotel is pretty luxurious, but the apartments are ridiculously well-priced. They have full lounges and kitchens with separate bedrooms and stunning views. There is also a rooftop pool.

You’re within walking distance to a number of really cool restaurants in Green Point – get coffee and deli items at Giovanni’s, or Cape Town’s best tacos at El Burro.

16. The Tree House Boutique Hotel – Mid-Range

The Tree House has modern bedrooms, beautiful decor, a swimming pool, and lots of greenery. This is perfect for a serene stay in the centre of Green Point.

17. O’Two Hotel – Mid-Range

A boutique hotel right on the beachfront, the O’Two has a rooftop pool and bar, ocean and mountain views, a spa and a gym. Walk to the OZCF Market, or along the promenade, like a local.

City Bowl – Best for Culture, Food and a Live-Like-a-Local Feel

Cape Town’s inner city is effortlessly cool. It is called the City Bowl because the surrounding mountains create a natural amphitheatre, or bowl shape. There are quirky shops, cool restaurants and weekend markets, and there is nothing more iconic than hearing the noon gun as your daily reminder to start thinking about lunch.

18. Pepperclub Hotel – Mid-Range

A Cape Town CBD icon, the Pepperclub is a luxurious hotel with stunning Cape Town views. It has a gym, a rooftop pool and spa, as well as an in-house cinema.

19. Gorgeous George by Design Hotels – Mid-Range

A stunning boutique hotel with probably the most creative interiors in Cape Town, Gorgeous George is situated on St George’s Mall, right in the centre of the CBD. There is a rooftop bar, restaurant and pool.

20. The Taj – Mid-Range

A larger option for City Bowl hotels, The Taj is situated in what used to be the South African Reserve Bank building on Wale Street. It has stunning Table Mountain views, plush furnishings, a spa, gym and swimming pool.

21. The Westin – High-End

The Westin is actually on the foreshore, rather than in the City Bowl, which makes it less of an option for walking around. But it’s still an excellent location in terms of proximity to the Waterfront and the City Bowl, and Ubers are cheap and easy to get here.

It has two swimming pools, stunning Cape Town views and delicious breakfasts. It also has a spa which has arguably the best views of any spa in Cape Town, with floor-to-ceiling windows looking down over the Waterfront.

Even if you’re not staying at the Westin, the spa is a great option if you’re in Cape Town in winter.

Gardens and Tamboerskloof – Local Vibes and Trendy Kloof Street

An excellent mid-point between the City Bowl and Table Mountain, but a lot quieter, and near to trendy Kloof Street. Something to keep in mind if you’re staying close to Vredehoek – I once lived there, and before I moved in, everyone told me how windy it was.

I ignored this pretty random warning, as Cape Town can be windy, but be warned: Vredehoek is really, really windy.

22. Cloud 9 Boutique Hotel and Spa – Great Value

Cloud 9 is my top pick for this area, mainly because the prices are so ridiculously good for how nice the hotel is, and how good its location is. I’m not sure how they’ve managed to fit 50 rooms in here, but they are stunning and beautifully decorated, and there is also a restaurant, a rooftop pool and a spa.

“The Triangle” is right on your doorstep for a weekend night out like a local (a glass of wine at Publik, tacos at El Burro, followed by post-dinner drinks at P&G), or take a short Uber up to Kloof Street.

23. Noah House – Mid-Range

Fabulous, arty and boutique, I am absolutely obsessed with Noah House. Get a quick Uber to Kloof Street for a trendy night out.

24. One Kensington Boutique Hotel – Mid-Range

One Kensington is a beautiful boutique hotel close to the top of Kloof Street, with a pool, minimalist decor and a calm vibe. People rave about the breakfast.

25. The Capital 15 on Orange Hotel and Spa – Mid-Range

Right across the road from the Mount Nelson, but much better priced, 15 on Orange also has a spa with an indoor pool. If you’re getting back late from a night out, you’re well placed to make a detour to get late-night snacks from the 24-hour Woolworths.

26. Camissa House – Mid-Range

A beautifully decorated and secluded boutique hotel, with only 8 rooms, Camissa House is right at the foot of Table Mountain, with stunning views, a luxurious pool, and dramatic sunsets.

27. The Mount Nelson – High-End

Affectionately known as the Nellie by locals, the Mount Nelson is the OG luxury Cape Town hotel. It features iconic pink walls, a champagne bar, a beautiful spa and luxurious gardens.

It holds a very special place in my heart as the first place I ever had afternoon tea – a very upmarket experience, without being stuffy or unwelcoming. The afternoon tea is worth doing even if you aren’t staying at the hotel.

Clifton and Camps Bay – Glam Beachfront Villas and Sunset Views

Clifton and Camps Bay are slightly further away from the action, but if you’re after a villa or hotel on the beachfront, or you have a big group, there is no more glamorous part of Cape Town, and nowhere better to get sunset views.

Be aware that most of the restaurants around here are pretty touristy, but an Uber into town takes about 15 minutes.

28. Casa Caprice – Great Value

Owned by Cafe Caprice, the best cocktail spot along the Camps Bay strip, Casa Caprice is a three-bedroom house on the Camps Bay strip, which sleeps six people. It is only a few steps from Camps Bay Beach and has absolutely ridiculous sunset views. For the location, the prices are really good.

29. Summer Place – Great Value

Summer Place is a stunning house in Camps Bay that has three bedrooms and sleeps six. Have a glass of wine on the balcony while watching the sunset.

30. Wixy – Great Value

I almost couldn’t believe the price of Wixy, given that it is right on the beach in Clifton. It has three bedrooms and sleeps six, and the views are insane. There is no pool, but you can be on Clifton 3rd Beach in about ten steps. If I were going to Cape Town with a big group, this would be top of my list.

31. Kaldene – Mid-Range

Honestly, given it has five rooms and sleeps 10, Kaldene is just within Mid-Range IMHO. Again, given the location right on Clifton 3rd Beach, I think the price is really good. There is a pool and a deck for sunset dinners.

32. The Bay Hotel – Mid-Range

The most iconic hotel on the Camps Bay strip, and always recognisable by its infinity pool, the Bay Hotel is absolutely fabulous. My sister loves staying here, and even if you don’t stay, but you need a pool (the water along the Atlantic seaboard is known for being particularly cold), you can buy a pool pass.

33. POD Camps Bay – Mid-Range

Luxurious, modern and very Camps Bay, Pod is popular for a reason. It is right across the road from the beach, and offers stunning sunsets from your balcony, a rooftop pool, a cocktail bar and a gym. Some of the rooms have private pools.

34. The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa – High-End

The Twelve Apostles is slightly further along the coast than Camps Bay, and feels like a secluded retreat. There is a pool, a really good spa, and the Leopard Bar for cocktails and afternoon tea (which holds a special place in my heart as I had one of my birthdays there).

There are also Paul Smith carpets (!) and a private cinema. They occasionally have screenings, but the cinema can also be rented out for private events – someone I know proposed to his girlfriend there (obvs she said yes).

35. Tintswalo Atlantic – High-End

Tintswalo Atlantic is actually even further along the coast than Camps Bay, in Hout Bay, but it makes up for that by being stunning. Plus, it has a Chef’s Warehouse, one of South Africa’s best restaurants, with the most insane views out over Hout Bay.

It is perfect if you’re on your honeymoon, just want a couple of nights away somewhere secluded, or don’t mind a bit of a drive for where you’ll be going sightseeing (seriously, if you were having an affair in Cape Town, this is where you should go).

Constantia – Winelands Hospitality 20 Minutes from the City

Although it is a bit out of the action, if you want relaxed winelands hospitality 20 minutes from Cape Town, Constantia has some excellent hotels.

Also, if you’re travelling in a big group and prefer a house, Constantia has great options, which are a lot better priced than Camps Bay and Clifton (plus Constantia has a lot of great restaurants).

36. Constantia Klein (Villa with Private Pool) – Great Value

There are a number of accommodation options at Constantia Klein, but the 4-bedroom Villa with Private Pool, which sleeps 8, is excellent value for money. Apart from the private pool, there are lawns, a pond, and luxurious bedrooms.

It’s also very close to Klein Constantia and Groot Constantia, two great options to start at if you’re exploring the Constantia wine route.

37. The Vineyard Hotel and Spa – Mid-Range

Ok, so the Vineyard is not really in Constantia, but Newlands is close enough. The Vineyard was my first taste of Cape Town girls’ spa days, and it started a lifelong love affair with them. The rooms are perfectly Constantia – relaxed yet luxurious. There is a large garden with a fountain, a pool and two restaurants.

38. The Alphen Boutique Hotel and Spa – Mid-Range

A Constantia icon, the Alphen is also very dear to me as my besties and I got ready for a wedding here, the first time I was ever a bridesmaid. The rooms are fabulous, with claw-foot tubs, gilded mirrors, and deliciously thick carpets.

They also have a very good spa, a massive swimming pool and three restaurants – even if you’re not staying, do yourself a favour and book for cocktails and tapas at Incognito, in the Alphen gardens.

39. The Cellars-Hohenort – Mid-Range

We went to Cellars-Hohenort last December, when my friends and I were on a desperate search for a spa which would let us use the pool (this is almost impossible in Cape Town in the summer, when hotels reserve their pools for hotel guests). Well, what a discovery it was.

Set in Constantia, amongst the vineyards, it feels like a delicious secret. The hotel is quiet with a very calm feeling, but the hospitality is up to the best of South Africa’s warm standards. In addition to the spa, there is a large outdoor pool and a hair salon.

Don’t miss the very sweet resident tortoises, which wander around the property.

40. The Steenberg Hotel and Spa – Mid-Range

The Steenberg Hotel is on the Steenberg wine estate in Constantia, which was established in the 1600s. The grounds are beautifully manicured, and there is a lot going on – wine tasting, two restaurants, a golf estate and an excellent spa.

Also, Steenberg is a good spot to start or end your tour of the Constantia wine route – if you’re staying at the hotel, do your last tasting here, then have a long lunch, a swim, and a nap, for winelands perfection.

Is Cape Town Safe for Tourists?

Like any major city, Cape Town has areas that are better suited to tourists. Stick to the neighbourhoods I’ve outlined here, use Uber at night, and stay aware of your surroundings. I’ve written a full post on Cape Town safety here, with more specific tips.

FAQs on The Best Areas to Stay in Cape Town

Final Tips on Where to Stay in Cape Town

Whether you’re here for the beaches, the wine, the views, or just a long-overdue getaway, Cape Town really does have something for everyone.

If you want central and convenient, go for the Waterfront, Sea Point or Green Point. For something more scenic or romantic, Clifton, Camps Bay and Constantia have gorgeous views and a slower, holiday pace.

And if you want to feel like a local? Try Gardens, Tamboerskloof or the City Bowl – they’re full of culture, coffee and charm.

If you’ve found a hotel you love, book it early. The good ones fill up quickly, especially in December and January. For the rest of your trip, all of my Cape Town posts are here – happy planning.

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